to cut a deal. when. mcconnell essentially gave up trying to negotiate with senate majority leader harry reid. now said to be reasonably close together on income tax rates though republicans want to use the additional money to cut the deficit and democrats to soften spending cuts. california senator barbara boxer made clear this morning she is not looking for perfection. >> i wanted to add at least a cautiously optimistic note i am hopeful we will get something done and i think if we do, and if it's fair, fair enough, we should get our country off this cliff. >> reporter: boxer says she is willing to move up the income protected from tax hikes but her bottom line is extending unemployment benefits. she says that is good for the economy and fair for the many people who still can't find work. uma? uma: wendell, is it true that some family's taxes will rise whether or not there's a deal. >>reporter: it looks like the only real question is where that income level is. the cuttoff. vice president biden, m